Based on case studies undertaken in tropical forests in Brazil and Indonesia and subtropical woodlands in Australia, the paper highlights how data acquired by the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Arrayed L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Landsat sensors can be integrated to better quantify the extent, biophysical characteristics and/or dynamics of undisturbed, degraded and regenerating forests. The benefits of using time-series of Landsat sensor data to support the interpretation of ALOS PALSAR data and to identify areas with greatest potential for ecosystem recovery are conveyed.